Histories

This was their reward. Now the Persians, journeying through Thrace (region (general)), EuropeThrace to the passage, made haste to cross to Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Abydos in their ships, for they found the bridges no longer made fast but broken by a storm. There their march halted, and more food was given them than on their way.

Then by reason of their immoderate gorging and the change of the water which they drank, many of the army that had survived died. The rest came with Xerxes to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis.

There is, however, another tale, which is this: when Xerxes came in his march from Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens to +Eion [23.8833,40.7333] (Perseus) Eion on the Strymon, he travelled no farther than that by land, but committed his army to Hydarnes to be led to the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont. He himself embarked and set sail for Asia (continent)Asia in a Phoenician ship.

In the course of this voyage he was caught by a strong wind called the Strymonian, which lifted up the waves. This storm bearing the harder upon him by reason of the heavy load of the ship (for the Persians of his company who were on the deck were so many), the king grew afraid and cried to the ship's pilot asking him if there were any way of deliverance. To this the man said,

“Sire, there is none, if we do not rid ourselves of these many who are on board.” Hearing that, it is said, Xerxes said to the Persians, “Now it is for you to prove your concern for your king, for it seems that my deliverance rests with you.”